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THE UNDERDOGS: GIRLS

41. NORTHSIDE

In last year's postseason, Northside stunned Chicago Public League tournament winner Whitney Young in the sectional quarterfinal round. They hope to carry that momentum into the new season in hopes of winning the CPS title behind the return of Diana Roback, Meghan Quigley and Rebecca Chan. On the defensive end, head coach Carlos Ceja will hope that goalie Marti Hale can continue to impress after getting her chance to shine in goal last season. If they can replace the production of Lisa Echeverria, Megan Gillespie, Sarah Bodenstein and Rhyan White, the Mustangs could easily see themselves in the Top 25 by the end of the upcoming season.

Head Coach: Carlos Ceja

2012 Record: 16-15

Key Losses: Lisa Echeverria, Megan Gillespie, Rhyan White, Sarah Bodenstein

42. PALATINE

The Pirates should be very optimistic that 2013 will be an impressive season. Caroline Wojtas and Rachel Chumbook will look to lead the way on the offensive end, while several other contributors during last year's thirteen-win season return for head coach Mitch Tucker. Ashley Theis, Bianca Casteneda, Emily Morgan and Johy Topp should be significant contributors for a team that hopes to improve on their fifth-place finish in the Mid-Suburban League West division. A major key for the Pirates will be finding a replacement for injured goaltender Hannah Otis, who was declared out for the season due to injury.

Head Coach: Mitch Tucker

2012 Record: 13-18

Key Losses: Nicole Huffman, Nicole Theis

43. VERNON HILLS

The Cougars have some major production to make up after losing several key players, including long-time starters Anna Lebiedzinski and Dana Andrea. Head coach Shona Moeller will likely look to fresh faces like Lauren Wood and Summer Hemesath to emerge on the offensive end, while talented goalie Sabrina Counselbaum should hold things down defensively for a team looking to work their way up the North Suburban Conference standings in 2013.

Head Coach: Shona Moeller

2012 Record: 13-12

Key Losses: Anna Lebiedzinski, Anne Fan, Dana Andrea, Grace Lee, Kaitie Manning

44. ST CHARLES NORTH

The North Stars could be in good hands on both ends of the pool in 2013, as Maddie Jones and Sarah Stern returns to lead the offensive charges and goaltender Hannah Horsfall should continue her solid play on the defensive end. Replacing Claire Bultema and Mallory Hecht will be the top priority for head coach Nick Engel, who hopes the team can build off a fifteen-win season in 2012.

Head Coach: Nick Engel

2012 Record: 15-9

Key Losses: Claire Bultema, Mallory Hecht

45. LAKE FOREST

Replacing the production of Emily Nowlin and three other starters won't be easy for the Scouts, but they do return a solid amount of experience from a team that won 15 games in 2012. Grace Demet, Maia Brearton and Maggie Mass will hope to pace the offense, while goaltender Laura Meng returns to lead the defense for a team hoping to last beyond the sectional quarterfinal round, where they lost to Mundelein last May.

Head Coach: Jessica Goldner

2012 Record: 15-10

Key Losses: Caroline Tarwid, Emily Nowlin, Mary Statza, Norie Kaufman

46. HERSEY

The Huskies are hoping to rebuild quickly after losing several prominent starters from last year's thirteen-win season, including Allison Williams, Hannah Johnson and Maddie Liesz. The cupboard isn't bare for head coach Megan Brownley, as she will look to players like Karolina Szymaszek and Kelsey O'Donnell for increased production, while Natalie Curtis hopes to replace former goaltender Cory Hall between the posts.

Head Coach: Megan Brownley

2012 Record: 13-17

Key Losses: Allison Williams, Hannah Johnson, Maddie Liesz

47. BRADLEY

Even though the Boilers lose a handful of seniors, they should still be a vastly improved squad with playmaker Drew L'Ecuyer and goalie Amber Forbes back in the mix. Head coach Andrew Helgeson also hopes players like Sam Ashline, Celine Dalde, Darby L'Ecuyer and Rachel Thorson could make a big impact as the team prepares to battle the likes of Andrew, Lincoln-Way North and Lincoln-Way West for supremacy in the competitive SouthWest Suburban Red division in 2013.

Head Coach: Andrew Helgeson

2012 Record: 7-16

Key Losses: Dominique Porto, Elizabeth Schwass, Jenna Capriotti, Megan Ouwenga, Sawyer Ruffalo

48. HINSDALE SOUTH

The Hornets return several productive players while losing five others to graduation, so things could get interesting for head coach Frank Kuchta and his squad in 2013. Kelsey Barry and Melanie Lofgren lead what should be a well-balance offense, while Allegra Wozniak, Chloe Belczak, Gabby Dupont and Nikki Rickert should help solidify a lineup that hopes to improve on a fifth-place finish in the West Suburban Conference this season.

Head Coach: Frank Kuchta

2012 Record: 7-17

Key Losses: Emma Scoczynski, Hannah Veselik, Nicole Blachowicz, G Patty Zaporowski

49. RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD

The Bulldogs could be one of the surprise teams of the upcoming season, as they return the majority of last year's starting lineup after an 8-win campaign. Allie Shumowski, Ariel Moon, Emma Veon and Sydney Veon should excel on both ends of the pool for new head coach Sofia Pappanastos, while goalie Caitlin Parisi will continue to lead the defense for R-B.

Head Coach: Sofia Pappanastos

2012 Record: 8-18

Key Losses: Caitlin Boxell

50. HOFFMAN

The Hawks could be ready to bear the fruit of their most recent rebuilding process, as new head coach Joe Arce will look to Alex Vick and Kasia Serwin for the bulk of the offensive production in 2013. Five seniors are gone due to graduation, but look for Kelsey Sandefur, Nicole Kasman, Nina Catalano and goalie Melissa Kempf to shore up the lineup for a team that earned a key sectional win over Meadows in the postseason in 2012. An early season conference win could be the momentum the Hawks need after a winless campaign in the Mid-Suburban League West division last time around.

Head Coach: Joe Arce

2012 Record: 6-26

Key Losses: Corey Liang, Damaris Vera, Faith Sheely, Sharon Sturnfield, Stephanie Lynn

51. LATIN

Sophomore Charlotte Rosenberg and goaltender Meghna Patiath will look to lead the Romans to a double-digit win total this season; the team will also have their sights set on making it beyond the sectional semifinals, where they lost to Lane at UIC last May. Replacing the production of Ashley Henderson will also be a key for head coach Christine Ahern.

Head Coach: Christine Ahern
2013 Record: 7-12
Key Losses: Ashley Henderson, Katie Kozik

52. ELK GROVE

The Grenadiers return a handful of starters, including leading scorers Alexa Zajac and Kathryn Noonan, so this could be the year they move towards the top of the Mid-Suburban League East standings. Head coach Tracy Balla will need to find a replacement for goalie Leah Rivard; she may also look to Angelica Ford and Madeline Vanko to shore things up on the offensive end in 2013.

Head Coach: Tracy Balla
2013 Record: 8-21
Key Losses: Kayla Starbuck, G Leah Rivard

53. WAUBONSIE VALLEY

The Warriors are hopeful that the struggles of the previous season are behind them; they will call on Molly Devine and Jailin Turner to provide the bulk of the scoring and goaltender Nena Khanna to lock things down on the defensive end. Meanwhile, the emergence of players like Gabby Ansberry, Molly Meyer and Sophia Nesbitt could go a long way towards helping Waubonsie create headaches for their Naperville-area rivals in the season ahead.

Head Coach: Diane Mehl
2013 Record: 3-22
Key Losses: Amanda Peart, G Caitlin Frech, Kim Palmer, Lauren Stercay, Marnie Johnson

54. MAINE WEST

Nearly everyone returns for the Warriors, who will look to Carly Romano, Shannon O'Hagan and goalie Tara Woodford to help propel them to their best regular season finish in team history after a seventh-place finish in the Central Suburban League last year. Amy Maciejewski, Kara Atwood and Morgan Petriko could be difference-makers for the squad as they look to double last season's win total.

Head Coach: Brett Unruh
2013 Record: 4-19
Key Losses: Amy Nakano, Jenn Barnes

55. RESURRECTION

Resurrection will have plenty of weapons at their disposal as they look to bounce back from a difficult 2012 campaign. Annie Koepke and Maggie Blume will be counted on to provide the offensive firepower, while players like Kelly Taylor, Myliese Melczyk and Rebecca Niewinski also return to help propel the Bandits up the Catholic League standings in 2013.

Head Coach: Katie John
2013 Record: 1-20
Key Losses: Nikki Olszewski

56. MEADOWS

Things are looking up for the Mustangs, as playmaker Jessica Dykstra and goalie Natalie Delporte will look to lead the team to double-digit wins and an improved conference performance after the team went winless in the Mid-Suburban League East last season. The team lost a one-goal heartbreaker to Hoffman in the opening round of sectional play last May, so head coach Tiffany Kupkowski will have her sights set on a playoff win or two in the 2013 campaign.

Head Coach: Tiffany Kupkowski
2013 Record: 1-22
Key Losses: Kylie Karam, Carly Lawrence

57. MORTON

Morton is in good shape as Samantha Nunez returns to help a team that won thirteen games last season make waves in the West Suburban Conference. Head coach Joe Starr will also have the team focused on moving past the sectional quarterfinal round, where the team lost to conference foe Oak Park in last year's playoffs.

Head Coach: Joe Starr
2013 Record: 13-11
Key Losses: N/A

58. RICHARDS

The Bulldogs will look to Nicole Jokubauskas to help them improve on a seven-win season in 2013. Richards did impress in a sectional quarterfinal win over Lindblom in last year's playoffs, so head coach Joel Staszewski will hope to carry that momentum over into the new season. The Bulldogs will also have their sights on winning the Independent Tournament in Week 8, where they lost to R-B in overtime in the title game last April.

Head Coach: Joel Staszewski
2013 Record: 7-20
Key Losses: Christine Dvoracek

59. ST CHARLES EAST

The Saints went through a long and arduous rebuilding process last season and could expect to make major improvements under second-year head coach Stephanie McClure this year. Laura Crocker and Sarah Ditch will hope to provide the bulk of the offensive production, while goaltender Jeneva Newman is back in the fold to keep opposing teams honest on the defensive end.

Head Coach: Stephanie McClure
2013 Record: 2-26
Key Losses: Kaitlin McKeighan, Maya Heath, Vicky Salzman

60. STAGG

Casey McMahon, Chloe Hovel and Faybiana Walker will look to lead the Chargers as they hope to cause problems in the ultra-competitive SouthWest Suburban Red division after last year's winless conference campaign. If they can find a way to replace the scoring of Liz Hadhazy, Stagg could move beyond the sectional quarterfinal round, where they lost to Bremen in last year's playoffs.

Head Coach: Kevin Renner
2013 Record: 2-23
Key Losses: Braidy Adams, Kasia Manka, Liz Hadhazy, Liz Wayteck

61. HIGHLAND PARK

The Giants are hopeful that Maddie Gelberg and Nina Sonneborn can propel the squad up the Central Suburban League standings after a three-win season ended with an opening round loss to Palatine in last year's sectionals.

Head Coach: Daniel Weinberg
2013 Record: 3-20
Key Losses: G Kaitlyn Gilbert, Melissa Barraza

62. SAINT VIATOR

The Lions will look to Bridget Hulsebosch, Christine Wimberly and Laura Foss to lead the way in 2013 after a somewhat disappointing one-win season ended in a sectional quarterfinal loss to Barrington last May. If head coach Sarah Ostling can find replacements for graduates Ashley Herzfeldt, Eileen Mallof and Libby Burkman, Viator could be set to improve on a sixth-place Catholic League finish.

Head Coach: Sarah Ostling
2013 Record: 1-27
Key Losses: Ashley Herzfeldt, Eileen Mallof, Libby Burkman

63. CURIE

Jennifer Villanueva will look to lead the Condors in 2013 as they seek to improve on their fourth-place finish in the Chicago Public League tournament last May.

Head Coach: Jennifer Reid
2013 Record: 3-8
Key Losses: N/A

64. PAYTON-JONES

Samantha Blumenthal will look to lead Payton-Jones beyond the 7-win total that the Co-op team achieved last season. Head coach Mac Varilla will likely have the team geared towards surviving to the final round of the CPS tournament after a quarterfinal loss to Northside last year, while a sectional win could also be on the cards after the squad bowed out of the playoffs to Lane last May.

Head Coach: Mac Varilla
2013 Record: 7-12
Key Losses: Annika Schick

65. DEERFIELD

Sophie Lieb will look to lead the newly-formed Warriors' squad in 2013 as they officially split up from former partners Highland Park after several years of combining forces.

Head Coach: Kyle Iverson
2013 Record: 0-0
Key Losses: None

THE MYSTERY TEAMS

Note: I have not received or been able to find enough information to write about the following teams. Rankings are based on a combination of last season's overall record and head-to-head matchups between the listed teams, plus the key losses and returning players for each individual team. Those interested in seeing a team preview (for now or in the future) should send any and all information to illpolostaff@gmail.com as often as possible throughout the season.

66 LAKE VIEW 9-1

67 TAFT 12-4

68 LINDBLOM 13-2

69 MORGAN PARK 5-6

70 ARGO 2-9

71 DE LA SALLE 0-0

72 WESTINGHOUSE 1-7

73 LINCOLN PARK 1-7

74 MATHER 1-6

75 MARIA 0-10

76 JUAREZ 0-8

77 FOREMAN 0-10

78 WASHINGTON 0-5

79 KENNEDY 0-3

80 LITTLE VILLAGE 0-2

81 CLARK 0-1